New Delhi: Doped athletes are gaining by the sympathetic attitude of the hearing panels towards them.
Several athletes charged with doping offences have had their commencement of ineligibility period dated back to sample collection date without justification during the past two years and more.
Rules say concession can be given on the commencement date only in two instances, one in which an athlete has made a timely admission and another in which delays in procedures are not attributable to the athlete.
Normally a suspension begins from the date of decision, with any provisional suspension period being deducted from the total duration.
At least one of the National Anti-Doping Disciplinary panels (chaired by Jasmeet Singh) has consistently given this concession, on the grounds of “special circumstances” without explaining what those circumstances are.
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) or the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has not intervened to set the record right. However, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) recently wrote to the NADA, seeking strict enforcement of relevant rules.
The Hindu